Do We Have The Patience for the Lord's Will To Be Done?

There is a lot of concern in and outside of our church walls about the decline in the Episcopal Church.  This same concern is expressed by many church denominations, not only in the United States, but around the World.  From our national church “Listening to the Spirit” Task Force  is re-imaging church (TREC), to our  Diocese Outside Church Walls Steering Team, a lot of words have been written and discussions carried on to search out answers that might allow God’s people to assist in that effort.

Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Day by Day, gives us a glimmer of light in his Forward to Aug., Sept., and Oct., 2013 publication.  “Yes, we have churches that are in decline, financial peril, attendance dwindling and yet, as I travel around the church I see much to celebrate.  There are hundreds of examples of thriving congregations, large and small. In places, attendance is growing, and abundance has conquered scarcity.” 

“What is the difference?  Change! Congregations that are willing  to change have managed to adapt to our time.  The essence of Christianity is transformation.  Emptiness is transformed into light and life.  Death is transformed into life.  Fear is transformed into love. We are all called to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.  Change is never easy.”

I fear we spend too much time trying to reinvent the wheel instead of keeping our very good wheel rolling along.  Sometimes in our discussions, planning and getting to the point, we stand in the Lord’s way of working out His game plan.  This summer during our family vacation time in Eastern Oregon, a case in point struck me.

My wife and I have been married 54+ years and met at the Ascension School Camp and Conference Center in Cove, Oregon in the late 1940’s as children in Episcopal youth programs.  Yes, our children were brought  up in the Episcopal Church, mostly in the Diocese of Olympia.  While we have always involved family in our church, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have never been prodded to any particular church tradition.  The Cove, Oregon Episcopal Church camp is having a big reunion camp this Labor Day weekend of all ages of former campers & their families and/or friends.  My wife and I are planning to go.  Our oldest granddaughter informed us that we could be having four generations of our family going---unbeknown to us!  Just PLANTING SEEDS over 54+ years and LETTING GOD DO THE WATERING!  Amen!

Chuck

Quotes by Scott Gunn, Exec. Director, Forward Day by Day